As part of the implementation of its project: “Awareness-raising campaign for rural women on the preservation of biodiversity”, WEP-TOGO organized two (02) round tables from 08 to 11 March 2022, in Kpalimé and Lomé to strengthen the capacities of 32 leaders of organizations of women forest and agricultural producers (OPFA) with the technical and financial support of IRSNB through the CeBIOS program. Thus 15 administrative and traditional authorities (Regional and Prefectural Environmental Directors and traditional leaders) actively participated in these round tables.

Indeed, Togo is a country in the Gulf of Guinea which benefits from a diversity of ecosystems and species that are quite varied and rich. The biodiversity that Togo enjoys provides many services to human communities and especially rural women. Unfortunately, this biodiversity, which contributes to the balance of life of Togolese populations, is being degraded due to the bad practices of men and women. These include the abusive exploitation of natural resources, pollution, the use of chemical pesticides... This leads to the degradation of natural wildlife, plant and fishery resources and, in turn, accentuates the effects of climate change. Analyzing this situation, future generations risk living in very complicated conditions if nothing is done to reverse the trend.

In order to find alternative solutions to this situation, WEP-TOGO in collaboration with CONAFE conducted a vast awareness-raising campaign for rural women in the plateau and maritime regions. Thus, after selecting 16 OPFAs, she brought together 32 women leaders from these grassroots organizations during two training workshops in order to equip them on good practices for the preservation of biodiversity. This training was provided by the CHM-TOGO focal point in the person of Commander AGBESSI K.G. Eric. This will allow Togolese women to contribute to the better implementation of international conventions on biodiversity in Togo. The Executive Director of the NGO WEP-TOGO Ms. TSONYA E. Brigitte placed particular emphasis on the effect of biodiversity degradation on women's economic activities. In return, the beneficiaries feel satisfied with the content of the training and are active in applying the good practices received in their community, this is the case of Ms. DOGBE Yawa who expressed herself as follows: “Dear sisters, let us rise up to ban bad practices that degrade biodiversity by starting by avoiding the use of plastic bags, for example, because the situation is critical. As women, we are the catalysts for change and if we make a firm decision, the situation can change.”

These women leaders are committed to sharing the notions acquired in their communities of origin through communication tools that were given to them during the training. These communication tools will facilitate the sharing of knowledge with their peers and will better get the message across on the preservation of biodiversity.